As a result of a motor vehicle stop initiated by Essex County sheriff’s officers on Friday night, a Garfield man was arrested on multiple weapons and narcotics charges.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Patrol Division were conducting quality of life operations in the area of Irvington Park last night when they executed a computer records check of a temporary registration tag affixed to a passing 2015 Nissan Sentra.
“When the tag proved to be not on file, the suspect's vehicle was pulled over at Lyons Avenue and Normandy Place,” Sheriff Fontoura said.
“Neither the driver of the Nissan, who was later identified as Vandervort Wilson, 23, of Bloomfield, nor his passenger, Zsaahid Muhammed, also 23, of Garfield, could produce either personal identification for themselves or papers for the vehicle.”
In questioning the suspects, the sheriff’s officers detected the strong odor of alcohol on Muhammed.
“When Muhammed was asked to step out of the vehicle our officers observed an open bottle of vodka at his feet and a large bulge in his pants pocket,” Fontoura noted.
“During a pat-down search for officer safety, Muhammed was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber, Taurus semi-automatic handgun, fully loaded with illegal hollow point bullets, and 20 plastic jars, filled with ‘crack’ cocaine.”
Muhammed was placed under arrest and charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced weapon, possession of hollow point bullets and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
He was also issued summonses for the possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle.
Vandervort was issued summonses for displaying a fictitious registration tag, driving while suspended and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.
Muhammed was lodged at the county jail where he awaits a bail hearing on Friday’s charges.
Vandervort was released in his own recognizance and his court date to answer the summonses has not yet been set.